By Chris Terlop
2013 was a year to be forgotten by Brewers’ faithful, after a 74-88 finish, putting them 23 games out of first and 16 games out of the playoffs. The worst part of it all, as this was not the most disappointing aspect of the year as superstar slugger Ryan Braun was suspended for 65 games to end the year after evidence was presented that painted him guilty of steroid use. The good news? The past is just that, the past.
It started with a rare signing of a big name in Matt Garza to bolster the rotation. It came with hope for the upcoming season and it all starts Saturday in Arizona.
The biggest reason for hope this season is the Brewers starting rotation. This division is all about pitching, and with one addition this squad can keep up with the likes of St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati. Bringing Matt Garza on board was the best move management could make for this squad. Help in the form of an ace is not coming from one of the worst farm systems in baseball.
Garza can be the bona fide ace, assuming he is healthy, and the rest of the rotation falls in place. I have never dunned Yovanni Gallardo an ace, but a good number two, and that is where he will sit, followed most likely by Kyle Lohse, who was very solid after signing last season. I will pencil Wily Peralta in as the four, but if the Brewers were to make the playoffs, he could go as high as the two. Peralta has the ability to be a very good major league pitcher, the question is can he consistently control his “stuff”.
Rounding out the rotation will be a battle between vet Marco Estrada, and young guns Tyler Thornburg and Johnny Hellweg. Estrada is what he is, six innings, around the plate, susceptible to getting lit up. As your third guy that is not ok, as a five, he would fit perfectly. Him being there depends on the progress of Thornburg, who has shown he can be effective, and Hellweg, who has an electric fastball, but no control. Either way, this is a rotation that is looking up.
Add to the mix a Jimmy Nelson who will most likely start the year in Triple A, the Brewers seem to have solved their starting pitching woes. The bullpen seems solid as well with Jim Henderson closing, the bringing back of Francisco Rodriguez, along with Tom Gorzelanny, Brandon Kintlzer, the addition of Will Smith and some help from Alfredo Figaro.
I’m not saying the Brewers will win the NL Central, arguably the best division in the National League, or that they will make a strong push for the playoffs this year. All I am saying is there is finally a reason to be hopeful that the Brewers are going to put a competitive product on the field this year that will keep fans hooked all season long. Who knows, maybe they make a push for the final wild card spot, crazier things have happened.
You can hear Chris M-F on Sportsline and Saturdays at 8am. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisTerlop
